First, an explanation as to why I am not talking about the elections this week. It is called a deadline. This column runs in a number of major markets around the state, from Rocky Face to Rincon to Sugar Hill. To ensure that all my loyal readers are treated equally, there have to be deadlines.

Where in the world is George? I'm not talking about George W. I know where that George is. He has donned his flight suit and is preparing to jet to Wall Street where he will land in front of the empty Merrill Lynch building festooned with a "Mission Accomplished" banner.

The moment the TV networks declared Barack Obama the president-elect, something wonderful happened. The perception of the United States changed around the world. America was the international good guy again. There was dancing in the streets of the great cities of Europe, Asia and Africa.

"The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

An important Georgia political story was lost in the hoopla surrounding this year's presidential campaign and the closer-than-expected contest between Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

Before I write again, the election will be over. Some predictions: Barack Obama will win the popular vote and very possibly the electoral college. Riding those popular vote coattails, Democrats will increase their hold on Congress. As of now with his long history of comebacks, John McCain still cannot be ruled out of a razor-thin win.

The presidential campaign has lasted more than a year and a half. To me, it seems much longer. And like many Americans I am glad it ends on Nov. 4. Looking at the process, I can make some observations.

In September 2006, while on the verge of the 2006 Congressional midterm elections, Florida U.S. Rep. Mark Foley was caught up in a salacious sex scandal involving lewd e-mails and instant messages with congressional pages that resulted in his resignation.

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A few weeks ago, a former colleague I have known for more than 20 years called me a racist in a Facebook post because I did not agree with all of President Barack Obama's policies, especially his foreign policy that consists primarily of strategic dithering.

I spent last week helping to assess a group of people for a job I couldn't do if my life depended on it. Actually, what they were seeking is not a job; it is a calling. And my life here and in the hereafter depends on how well they do it.

When I first started writing about politics, my conservative friends would preach the gospel of "local control." They believed local governments did a better job of running things because local officeholders were closer to the people who elected them.